The great gift that is priesthood

Many people too often think in terms of giving something up when they think of priesthood. There are of course sacrifices to make, and perhaps the call to celibacy is one of the most challenging. But a man who has a sense of calling can take heart from Christ’s own words: “I tell you the truth, no-one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the Gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields— and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life” (Mark 10,29-30).

In any case, the sacrifice becomes beautiful and worthwhile if it is pondered and prayed over. The power to forgive sins! The power to change bread and wine into God’s Body and Blood! The privilege of accompanying people on the pilgrim journey back to God! The gift of preaching the Good News of salvation! These are some of the many blessings given to those whom Christ calls.

Pope John Paul II and Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta both had a deep love for the priesthood and its most important work, the Eucharist. Here they encourage those who are thinking about priesthood:

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If you feel a tug towards the consecrated life, do not run away from it because it will not go away. Take things calmly and reflect upon them prayerfully, before approaching someone you can trust. You might also like to reflect on some of the signs that you might have a vocation.

We can take heart from Blessed Pope John XXIII, who reminds us that, “Once you have renounced everything, really everything, then any bold enterprise becomes the simplest and most natural thing in all the world.” (Diary, May 5th 1928)